Walker: Same-day voter registration absurd issue

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Gov. Scott Walker says the debate over ending same-day voter registration is a ridiculous issue even as GOP lawmakers announced they're working on a bill.

Republican Rep. Joel Kleefisch announced Wednesday he's drafting legislation to end same-day registration. The announcement came shortly after Walker told reporters during a question-and-answer period the issue is ridiculous and it's not one of his legislative priorities. He says lawmakers should be focused on jobs.

The governor said last week, though, that he would sign legislation doing away with the practice. He told reporters on Wednesday same-day registration has been fraught with problems for years but didn't go into specifics.

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, a Democrat, says Republicans are trying to change the rules because they didn't do well on Election Day.

Walker last week said he would sign a bill that ends the practice but he won't make doing away with it a priority. Pressed by reporters during a question-and-answer period Wednesday about what problems he sees with same-day registration, the governor called the issue ridiculous and a distraction.

He says the practice has been fraught with problems for years but didn't go into any specifics. He says he's not pursuing ending it and insisted again doing away with it isn't one of his legislative priorities.

He says the media should focus on his efforts to create jobs and groups talking about same-day registration should instead devote their resources to helping him develop the state's workforce.

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